The first vehicle to run on a public
highway under its own power was a French steam carriage made by
Nicholas Cugnot in 1769. It had three wheels and produced its
steam in a large kettle-like boiler at the front of the vehicle.It
was very clumsy in appearance and had a top speed of about 6 kilometres
per hour. It had an unfortunate end when Cugnot drove it into
a wall, causing hot embers and boiling water to be spilled everywhere.
He was arrested and put into prison.

Trevithick's Steam Carriage

In England, Richard Trevithick built
his steam carriage. He used it to carry passengers on December
24th 1801. It was able to travel at about 18 kilometres per hour.
The poor state of the English roads stopped it from becoming a
practical success.